Since when have boxing promoters gone the way of Christopher Columbus sailing off to uncharted waters in search of gold?
It’s no secret that the business of boxing promotion can be a very cutthroat and risky business. When you have a tried and true way of making money, would it make sense to deviate from it?
I’m going to stop beating around the bush.
Why the hell is Top Rank staging Pacquiao-Chi in Macau when Pacquiao-Barrera can get top dollar in Las Vegas? Why are you attempting to corner a Chinese market with a Filipino and Korean boxer? Asians don’t always embrace each other or group them together folks as Dave Chappelle learned.
More importantly, who advised Manny Pacquiao to sign a promotional contract with Top Rank and what were the reasons behind it? Especially since both Shelly Finkel and Freddie Roach were opposed to the signing.
In speaking with fellow Boxing Confidential writer and husband of the biggest Pacquiao supporter, Preston Wada simply states, “Somebody doesn’t want him to fight Juan Manuel Marquez, somebody is keeping the man running and ducking from Dinamita!”
I don’t know, I tell him it sounds like hate to me. I start singing the song from the Luniz, “Why you wanna, playa hate on me… Why you wanna, playa hate on pac… “
He quickly retorts, “Who in their right mind would walk away from 5 million dollars to fight a beast like In Jin Chi for half that amount?”
I tell him, “You do have a point, I just can’t envision Pacquiao avoiding anybody, He’s a beast himself.”
Mr. Wada starts imitating Derrick Gainer with his arms by making the running man motion. I howl with laughter at his obvious disdain for Pacquiao and his supporters which include his wife, brother in-law, and mother in-law.
Regardless of the man’s obviously biased opinion, he does make a good point. Barrera has been on a 6 fight win streak since the demolition at the hands of Pacquiao. While Marco’s competition has been solid, there’s been a noticeable decline in his physical ability. It would seem that he is ripe for the taking but still provides the fan base to allow the fight to do well financially.
Maybe his handlers understand that if they had signed with Golden Boy, a Marquez fight was inevitable in late 2007. Maybe they felt that while Oscar might be his promoter, he might secretly want to avenge the defeats of his fellow Mexicans. Who knows? All I know is that when there’s money to be taken on the table, you take it.
How many times have you been in Las Vegas with a pile of chips stacked up, only to end up leaving the table with an empty money clip? I’ve done it too many times and I guess it’s just the nature of a gambler. With this move by Manny and Top Rank I feel very concerned for them and have even visited the National Council of Problem Gambling website. Here’s an excerpt from the site:
If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, this page provides a starting point for finding help and hope.
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS OR CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE IN CRISIS, IMMEDIATELY CALL 800.522.4700.
I’m contemplating about making the call for Manny’s management…
On second thought, they just might strike it rich. In any case, I’ll keep in on speed-dial.
